‘1 Out of 3 People Believe in Fortune Telling’
The telling of fortunes has been an integral part of Chinese superstition and cultural beliefs since time immemorial. It is a highly respected practice, whose practitioners are relegated to the equivalent roles in western society of management consultants and psychotherapists.
Many major business decisions are made with the specific input of a fortune teller, and for the Chinese fortune-telling is a social event, somewhat like going shopping or dining out.
Modern China and its fortunetellers have had their ups and downs, as do all relationships, whether good or bad. The Communist Party for years saw the fading art form as a sign of “backwardness,” and yet traditional fortune-tellers thrive in today’s China although their role is something other than mystical.
One newspaper from a decade ago warned that “Chinese Scientists are Against Fortune-Telling” and the inclusive article cited a survey, which indicated that 1 out of every 3 persons in China believed in fortune-telling.
The commentary concluded with the admonition that “those who make money by telling fortunes should be punished according to the law.”
Fortune-telling is often a family affair; a trade passed down from generation to generation and family member to family member. Fortune-tellers can be found in cities like Beijing where they minister to pedestrians and office workers.
Their true significance of fortune-telling is a moot point. There can be little doubt, however, that it is the power of belief and the ability to “tune in” and not the fortune-teller’s divination sticks that support the mystique and “power” of the modern Chinese fortune-teller.
Chinese authorities have targeted fortune-telling as the nation’s next priority in a crackdown on illegal telephone content and phone sex. Still, fortune-telling persists, which is a statement all by itself. Interest in the telling of fortunes always increases sharply around the start of the Lunar New Year.
For a dynamic nation like China, it would seem that the intangible is the most sought after commodity of all; namely, the future.
Who knows what it will bring?
(link)
By MDeeDubroff on 12-09-2008
Comment by lolwut??
September 12th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
1st
Comment by Jason
September 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
you fail!
Comment by Fred Blogs
September 12th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I didn’t used to believe in fortune telling, I wish I still didn’t, but a whole string of things this woman told me, all came true. The only problem is, she also predicted my death! (Gulp!)
Comment by James
September 12th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Geez.. fortune telling is for people with weak minds. The simple way to tell this is all B.S. is ask yourself, how many fortune tellers have won the lottery? Or something similar. They are masters of manipulation, simple as that.
Comment by starboykb
September 13th, 2008 at 3:15 am
doesnt really believe all these stuffs. that’s why many China fortune teller always find me not worth the money to tell. ^^
Comment by zayzayem
September 14th, 2008 at 5:11 am
Fred – I predict you die to (everybody dies).
WAN – do you have more up to date stats? Stuff can change in 10 years.
Comment by Christina Bledsoe
July 18th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
I do not believe in fortune tellers. With all the fakes running around, how could you?
Comment by acsd
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 am
the old man sit there look so PRO!!!